US4847013A - Process for the preparation of N-phosphonomethylglycine - Google Patents
Process for the preparation of N-phosphonomethylglycine Download PDFInfo
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- US4847013A US4847013A US07/210,817 US21081788A US4847013A US 4847013 A US4847013 A US 4847013A US 21081788 A US21081788 A US 21081788A US 4847013 A US4847013 A US 4847013A
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- metal hydroxide
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- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 27
- XDDAORKBJWWYJS-UHFFFAOYSA-N glyphosate Chemical compound OC(=O)CNCP(O)(O)=O XDDAORKBJWWYJS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 title claims abstract description 15
- 238000002360 preparation method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 8
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 26
- 239000003054 catalyst Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 17
- 238000006356 dehydrogenation reaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 150000008044 alkali metal hydroxides Chemical class 0.000 claims abstract description 12
- 125000003118 aryl group Chemical group 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 238000005984 hydrogenation reaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 229910001860 alkaline earth metal hydroxide Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 150000003839 salts Chemical class 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 125000002887 hydroxy group Chemical group [H]O* 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 150000002148 esters Chemical class 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 239000002253 acid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 229910052500 inorganic mineral Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 239000011707 mineral Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- KDLHZDBZIXYQEI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Palladium Chemical compound [Pd] KDLHZDBZIXYQEI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 11
- BASFCYQUMIYNBI-UHFFFAOYSA-N platinum Chemical compound [Pt] BASFCYQUMIYNBI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 10
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 9
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Nickel Chemical compound [Ni] PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 6
- XLOMVQKBTHCTTD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Zinc monoxide Chemical compound [Zn]=O XLOMVQKBTHCTTD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 6
- 125000001997 phenyl group Chemical group [H]C1=C([H])C([H])=C(*)C([H])=C1[H] 0.000 claims description 6
- 125000000229 (C1-C4)alkoxy group Chemical group 0.000 claims description 5
- 229910052763 palladium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 5
- 229910052697 platinum Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 5
- 125000004178 (C1-C4) alkyl group Chemical group 0.000 claims description 4
- QCWXUUIWCKQGHC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Zirconium Chemical compound [Zr] QCWXUUIWCKQGHC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 125000004414 alkyl thio group Chemical group 0.000 claims description 3
- CXKCTMHTOKXKQT-UHFFFAOYSA-N cadmium oxide Inorganic materials [Cd]=O CXKCTMHTOKXKQT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- CFEAAQFZALKQPA-UHFFFAOYSA-N cadmium(2+);oxygen(2-) Chemical compound [O-2].[Cd+2] CFEAAQFZALKQPA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 229910052759 nickel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000011787 zinc oxide Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 229910052726 zirconium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- 125000004191 (C1-C6) alkoxy group Chemical group 0.000 claims description 2
- 125000006700 (C1-C6) alkylthio group Chemical group 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000003513 alkali Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910001854 alkali hydroxide Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 125000003282 alkyl amino group Chemical group 0.000 claims description 2
- 125000001769 aryl amino group Chemical group 0.000 claims description 2
- 125000005110 aryl thio group Chemical group 0.000 claims description 2
- 125000004104 aryloxy group Chemical group 0.000 claims description 2
- 125000000000 cycloalkoxy group Chemical group 0.000 claims description 2
- 125000005366 cycloalkylthio group Chemical group 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000011261 inert gas Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 125000002924 primary amino group Chemical group [H]N([H])* 0.000 claims description 2
- PXQLVRUNWNTZOS-UHFFFAOYSA-N sulfanyl Chemical class [SH] PXQLVRUNWNTZOS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 101150108015 STR6 gene Proteins 0.000 claims 1
- 239000002904 solvent Substances 0.000 abstract description 4
- 101100386054 Saccharomyces cerevisiae (strain ATCC 204508 / S288c) CYS3 gene Proteins 0.000 abstract 1
- 101150035983 str1 gene Proteins 0.000 abstract 1
- HEMHJVSKTPXQMS-UHFFFAOYSA-M Sodium hydroxide Chemical compound [OH-].[Na+] HEMHJVSKTPXQMS-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 9
- YXFVVABEGXRONW-UHFFFAOYSA-N Toluene Chemical compound CC1=CC=CC=C1 YXFVVABEGXRONW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 9
- NIYXQZCHLZSKMO-UHFFFAOYSA-N [benzyl(1-hydroxyethyl)amino]methylphosphonic acid Chemical compound OP(=O)(O)CN(C(O)C)CC1=CC=CC=C1 NIYXQZCHLZSKMO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 8
- 239000001257 hydrogen Substances 0.000 description 5
- 229910052739 hydrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 5
- -1 methoxyphenyl Chemical group 0.000 description 5
- 239000011541 reaction mixture Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000005562 Glyphosate Substances 0.000 description 3
- UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrogen Chemical compound [H][H] UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- WMFOQBRAJBCJND-UHFFFAOYSA-M Lithium hydroxide Chemical compound [Li+].[OH-] WMFOQBRAJBCJND-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 3
- KWYUFKZDYYNOTN-UHFFFAOYSA-M Potassium hydroxide Chemical compound [OH-].[K+] KWYUFKZDYYNOTN-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 3
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 229940097068 glyphosate Drugs 0.000 description 3
- 230000007062 hydrolysis Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000006460 hydrolysis reaction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 3
- XNIOWJUQPMKCIJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2-(benzylamino)ethanol Chemical compound OCCNCC1=CC=CC=C1 XNIOWJUQPMKCIJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- XKRFYHLGVUSROY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Argon Chemical compound [Ar] XKRFYHLGVUSROY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- VEXZGXHMUGYJMC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrochloric acid Chemical compound Cl VEXZGXHMUGYJMC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- FAPWRFPIFSIZLT-UHFFFAOYSA-M Sodium chloride Chemical compound [Na+].[Cl-] FAPWRFPIFSIZLT-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 2
- 150000002431 hydrogen Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 125000004029 hydroxymethyl group Chemical group [H]OC([H])([H])* 0.000 description 2
- 238000011065 in-situ storage Methods 0.000 description 2
- VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N methane Chemical compound C VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 125000004890 (C1-C6) alkylamino group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- RMSGQZDGSZOJMU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1-butyl-2-phenylbenzene Chemical group CCCCC1=CC=CC=C1C1=CC=CC=C1 RMSGQZDGSZOJMU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- CCJKFLLIJCGHMO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2-[diethoxyphosphorylmethyl(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]ethanol Chemical compound CCOP(=O)(OCC)CN(CCO)CCO CCJKFLLIJCGHMO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- VVFWBHXOSDHDME-UHFFFAOYSA-N C(C1=CC=CC=C1)N(C(P(=O)(OOCC)O)P(=O)(OOCC)O)C(C)O Chemical compound C(C1=CC=CC=C1)N(C(P(=O)(OOCC)O)P(=O)(OOCC)O)C(C)O VVFWBHXOSDHDME-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- KXDHJXZQYSOELW-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbamic acid Chemical class NC(O)=O KXDHJXZQYSOELW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229930040373 Paraformaldehyde Natural products 0.000 description 1
- ABLZXFCXXLZCGV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Phosphorous acid Chemical compound OP(O)=O ABLZXFCXXLZCGV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- KJTLSVCANCCWHF-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ruthenium Chemical compound [Ru] KJTLSVCANCCWHF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- FDHVXGNWIDUBGD-UHFFFAOYSA-N [O].CCO Chemical compound [O].CCO FDHVXGNWIDUBGD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 125000002777 acetyl group Chemical group [H]C([H])([H])C(*)=O 0.000 description 1
- 230000002411 adverse Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000001298 alcohols Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 229910052783 alkali metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910000272 alkali metal oxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 150000001340 alkali metals Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 125000003545 alkoxy group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 125000000217 alkyl group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 150000001412 amines Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 150000001414 amino alcohols Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000007864 aqueous solution Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052786 argon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 125000001797 benzyl group Chemical group [H]C1=C([H])C([H])=C(C([H])=C1[H])C([H])([H])* 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009835 boiling Methods 0.000 description 1
- YFNONBGXNFCTMM-UHFFFAOYSA-N butoxybenzene Chemical group CCCCOC1=CC=CC=C1 YFNONBGXNFCTMM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- AXCZMVOFGPJBDE-UHFFFAOYSA-L calcium dihydroxide Chemical compound [OH-].[OH-].[Ca+2] AXCZMVOFGPJBDE-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 1
- 239000000920 calcium hydroxide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910001861 calcium hydroxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000003610 charcoal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 125000000068 chlorophenyl group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 229910017052 cobalt Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010941 cobalt Substances 0.000 description 1
- GUTLYIVDDKVIGB-UHFFFAOYSA-N cobalt atom Chemical compound [Co] GUTLYIVDDKVIGB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000012043 crude product Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000020335 dealkylation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006900 dealkylation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 125000004188 dichlorophenyl group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- LXCYSACZTOKNNS-UHFFFAOYSA-N diethoxy(oxo)phosphanium Chemical compound CCO[P+](=O)OCC LXCYSACZTOKNNS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 125000005805 dimethoxy phenyl group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 125000001301 ethoxy group Chemical group [H]C([H])([H])C([H])([H])O* 0.000 description 1
- 125000001495 ethyl group Chemical group [H]C([H])([H])C([H])([H])* 0.000 description 1
- 230000007717 exclusion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000706 filtrate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 125000001207 fluorophenyl group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052736 halogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 150000002367 halogens Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004009 herbicide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 125000004051 hexyl group Chemical group [H]C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])* 0.000 description 1
- 239000012456 homogeneous solution Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000003840 hydrochlorides Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000007327 hydrogenolysis reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052741 iridium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- GKOZUEZYRPOHIO-UHFFFAOYSA-N iridium atom Chemical compound [Ir] GKOZUEZYRPOHIO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 125000001449 isopropyl group Chemical group [H]C([H])([H])C([H])(*)C([H])([H])[H] 0.000 description 1
- 125000000956 methoxy group Chemical group [H]C([H])([H])O* 0.000 description 1
- 125000002496 methyl group Chemical group [H]C([H])([H])* 0.000 description 1
- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000020477 pH reduction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910003445 palladium oxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- JQPTYAILLJKUCY-UHFFFAOYSA-N palladium(ii) oxide Chemical compound [O-2].[Pd+2] JQPTYAILLJKUCY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229920002866 paraformaldehyde Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 150000003007 phosphonic acid derivatives Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 description 1
- 125000001436 propyl group Chemical group [H]C([*])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])[H] 0.000 description 1
- 230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052703 rhodium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010948 rhodium Substances 0.000 description 1
- MHOVAHRLVXNVSD-UHFFFAOYSA-N rhodium atom Chemical compound [Rh] MHOVAHRLVXNVSD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052707 ruthenium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011780 sodium chloride Substances 0.000 description 1
- 125000001424 substituent group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
- C07F—ACYCLIC, CARBOCYCLIC OR HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS CONTAINING ELEMENTS OTHER THAN CARBON, HYDROGEN, HALOGEN, OXYGEN, NITROGEN, SULFUR, SELENIUM OR TELLURIUM
- C07F9/00—Compounds containing elements of Groups 5 or 15 of the Periodic Table
- C07F9/02—Phosphorus compounds
- C07F9/28—Phosphorus compounds with one or more P—C bonds
- C07F9/38—Phosphonic acids [RP(=O)(OH)2]; Thiophosphonic acids ; [RP(=X1)(X2H)2(X1, X2 are each independently O, S or Se)]
- C07F9/3804—Phosphonic acids [RP(=O)(OH)2]; Thiophosphonic acids ; [RP(=X1)(X2H)2(X1, X2 are each independently O, S or Se)] not used, see subgroups
- C07F9/3808—Acyclic saturated acids which can have further substituents on alkyl
- C07F9/3813—N-Phosphonomethylglycine; Salts or complexes thereof
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a novel process for the preparation of N-phosphonomethylglycine.
- N-phosphonomethylglycine is known by the name glyphosate. Glyphosate and a large number of its salts are of major economic importance as herbicides.
- N-(diethylphosphonomethyl)iminobisethanol is reacted with concentrated aqueous alkali metal hydroxide in the presence of cadmium oxide or zinc oxide. After acidification, N-phosphonomethylglycine is obtained in a yield of about 33%.
- a further disadvantage of this process is the fact that high reaction temperatures of about 270°-280° C. are required.
- the present invention thus relates to a process for the preparation of N-phosphonomethylglycine of the formula I ##STR3## which comprises reacting an N-benzyl-N-phosphonomethyl-aminoethanol derivative of the general formula II or salts and esters thereof ##STR4## in which R 1 and R 2 independently of one another denote hydroxyl or a hydrolyzable group, such as (C 1 -C 6 )alkoxy, (C 3 -C 6 ) cycloalkoxy, aryloxy, aryl(C 1 -C 4 ) alkoxy, mercapto, (C 1 -C 6 )alkylthio, (C 3 -C 6 )cycloalkylthio, arylthio, aryl(C 1 -C 4 )alkylthio, amino, mono- or di(C 1 -C 6 )alkylamino, arylamino or aryl(C 1 -C 4 )alkylamino
- alkyl groups contained in the above alkoxy, alkylthio or alkylamino radicals can be straight-chain or branched. They denote, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, buty or hexyl.
- aryl used above includes phenyl or substituted phenyl which contains, in particular, 1 to 3 substituents from the group comprising (C 1 -C 4 )alkyl, (C 1 -C 4 )alkoxy, or halogen, preferably (C 1 -C 4 )alkyl.
- substituted phenyl are the radicals methylphenyl, butylphenyl, methoxyphenyl, butoxyphenyl, fluorophenyl, chlorophenyl, dimethylphenyl, dichlorophenyl, methylchlorophenyl, dimethoxyphenyl, trimethylphenyl and ethyldichlorophenyl.
- hydroxyl and (C 1 -C 4 )alkoxy are most suitable for the radicals R 1 and R 2
- phenyl which can be substituted by (C 1 -C 4 )alkyl, especially phenyl, is most suitable for R 3 ; however, the nature of the radicals R 1 , R 2 or R 3 is not critical for carrying out the process.
- Dehydrogenation catalysts which can be used are the catalysts which are known per se for dehydrogenation reactions, for example cadmium oxide, zinc oxide, copper or copper/zirconium mixed catalysts, and hydrogenation catalysts which can be used are catalysts which are known per se for hydrogenation, such as palladium, platinum, rhodium, iridium, ruthenium, nickel or cobalt. Combinations of copper or copper/zirconium mixed catalysts with palladium, platinum or nickel are preferred, and copper in combination with palladium or platinum is particularly preferred.
- the dehydrogenation can be linked to the hydrogenation without problems.
- Half of the hydrogen obtained during the dehydrogenation accordingly reacts further in situ on the same molecule, so that no addition of hydrogen is necessary.
- the alcohols, thioalcohols or amines formed by hydrolysis during the alkaline reaction procedure do not impair selective dehydrogenation of the hydroxymethyl group of the N-benzyl-N-phosphonomethylaminoethanol derivatives of the formula II.
- Alkali metal hydroxides and alkaline earth metal hydroxides which can be used in the process according to the invention are lithium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide or calcium hydroxide.
- the alkali metal hydroxides are preferably used, sodium hydroxide, being especially preferred.
- the molar ratio of the alkali metal or alkaline earth metal hydroxide to the compound of the formula II in the reaction mixture should be greater than or equal to 3; a molar ratio of 3-4.5:1, in particular 3.3:1 to 3.8:1, is preferred.
- the alkali or alkaline earth metal hydroxide can be added to the reaction mixture in bulk, but is preferably added in case of the alkali metal hydroxide in the form of a concentrated aqueous solution.
- the water used as the solvent can be added directly or in the form of the abovementioned alkali metal hydroxide solutions.
- the reaction takes place within a wide temperature range.
- the reaction temperature is preferably in a range from 120° C. to 200° C., in particular in the range from 160°-180° C.
- the upper limit for the temperature is determined by the thermal stability of the components present in the reaction mixture.
- the process is advantageously carried out in an autoclave.
- a pressure builds up in the autoclave during the reaction also as a result of the formation of hydrogen, its level being determined by the dimensions of the autoclave, in particular from the ratio of the reaction volume to the autoclave volume.
- the pressure as a rule varies between 1 and 50 bar. Since the upper pressure limit for the reaction is not critical, the reaction can also be carried out under higher pressures.
- hydrolysis of the phosphonic acid derivative part structure to the phosphonic acid di-alkali metal salt takes place in parallel with the linked dehydrogenation/hydrogenation.
- This hydrolysis can equally well be carried out partly or completely before the start of the linked dehydrogenation/hydrogenation by reacting the N-benzyl-N-phosphonomethyl-aminoethanol derivative with the corresponding amount of alkali metal hydroxide before the start of the reaction.
- the strongly alkaline reaction conditions make it possible for salts of the N-benzyl-N-phosphonomethyl-amino-ethanol derivatives also to be used for the reaction. These are neutralized under the alkaline reaction conditions. Examples of these are the hydrochlorides and the methane sluphonates. A large number of derivatives of the compounds of the formula II which are substituted on the ethanol oxygen can also be used for the reaction; examples of these are the O-alkanoyl, in particular acetyl, derivatives of O-benzoyl derivatives. Under the alkaline reaction conditions described, the ester grouping in these derivatives is split and the hydroxymethyl group is thus liberated in situ for the dehydrogenation. The above amount of alkali metal hydroxide must in these cases be increased by 1 mole of alkali metal hydroxide per mole of N-benzyl-N-phosphonomethyl-aminoethanol derivatives.
- the process is advantageously carried out under an inert gas atmosphere with exclusion of oxygen.
- Hydrogen, nitrogen or argon, for example, can be used as the protective gas. It is used for displacing the atmospheric oxygen otherwise present, which could have an adverse influence on the course of the reaction.
- N-benzyl-N-phosphonomethyl-aminoethanol derivatives of the formula II can be prepared by the methods described in Zh. Obsch. Khim. 55, 1744 (1985) or J. Org. Chem. 31, 1603 (1966), if R 1 and R 2 denote an oxygen-containing containing radical. Further possible methods for the preparation of compounds of the formula II are described in Houben Weyl, Volume XII/1 (1963). There are no high requirements imposed on the purity of these N-benzyl-N-phosphonomethyl-aminoethanol derivatives; they can also be used as crude products in the process according to the invention.
- the crude N-benzyl-N-(bisethoxyphosphonomethyl)aminoethanol thus prepared 132 g (1.1 mol) of 33% strength aqueous sodium hydroxide solution and 42 g of water are stirred until a homogeneous solution is formed.
- the reaction mixture is introduced, together with 20 g of Raney copper (moist weight) and 4 g of palladium oxide catalyst (10% by weight of palladium-on-charcoal), into a 500 ml autoclave, covered with a layer of hydrogen and heated at 170° C. for 2 hours. After the autoclave has been cooled and let down, the catalysts are filtered off. 300 ml of toluene are added, the water is distilled off using a water separator and the toluene is then distilled off.
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- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Biochemistry (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Molecular Biology (AREA)
- Pharmaceuticals Containing Other Organic And Inorganic Compounds (AREA)
- Low-Molecular Organic Synthesis Reactions Using Catalysts (AREA)
Abstract
The invention relates to a process for the preparation of N-phosphonomethylglycine of the formula I ##STR1## wherein a compound of the formula II or salts and esters thereof ##STR2## in which R1 and R2 denote hydroxyl or a hydrolyzable group and R3 denotes aryl, is reacted in a closed reaction vessel in the presence of a dehydrogenation catalyst and a hydrogenation catalyst with an alkali metal hydroxide or alkaline earth metal hydroxide in water as the solvent and, when the reaction has ended, a mineral acid is added to liberate N-phosponomethylglycine from its salt.
Description
The present invention relates to a novel process for the preparation of N-phosphonomethylglycine.
N-phosphonomethylglycine is known by the name glyphosate. Glyphosate and a large number of its salts are of major economic importance as herbicides.
A large number of processes for the preparation of N-phosphonomethylglycine have already been published. One of these methods is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,442,041. In this process, N-(diethylphosphonomethyl)iminobisethanol is reacted with concentrated aqueous alkali metal hydroxide in the presence of cadmium oxide or zinc oxide. After acidification, N-phosphonomethylglycine is obtained in a yield of about 33%. In addition to the low product yield, a further disadvantage of this process is the fact that high reaction temperatures of about 270°-280° C. are required. Thermal dealkylation of N-alkyl-N-phosphonomethylglycine to give N-phosphonomethylglycine is furthermore described in EP-A No. 0,187,633. However, high reaction temperatures of 250°-350° C. are also required in this process.
A combined dehydrogenation and hydrogenation process for the preparation of glyphosate starting from N-benzyl-N-phosphonomethylaminoethanol which, surprisingly, can be carried out at relatively low temperatures has now been found.
The present invention thus relates to a process for the preparation of N-phosphonomethylglycine of the formula I ##STR3## which comprises reacting an N-benzyl-N-phosphonomethyl-aminoethanol derivative of the general formula II or salts and esters thereof ##STR4## in which R1 and R2 independently of one another denote hydroxyl or a hydrolyzable group, such as (C1 -C6)alkoxy, (C3 -C6) cycloalkoxy, aryloxy, aryl(C1 -C4) alkoxy, mercapto, (C1 -C6)alkylthio, (C3 -C6)cycloalkylthio, arylthio, aryl(C1 -C4)alkylthio, amino, mono- or di(C1 -C6)alkylamino, arylamino or aryl(C1 -C4)alkylamino and R3 denotes aryl, in a closed reaction vessel in the presence of a dehydrogenation catalyst and a hydrogenation catalyst with an alkali metal hydroxide or alkaline earth metal hydroxide in water as the solvent and, when the reaction has ended, adding a mineral acid to liberate N-phosphonomethylglycine from its salt.
The alkyl groups contained in the above alkoxy, alkylthio or alkylamino radicals can be straight-chain or branched. They denote, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, buty or hexyl.
The term aryl used above includes phenyl or substituted phenyl which contains, in particular, 1 to 3 substituents from the group comprising (C1 -C4)alkyl, (C1 -C4)alkoxy, or halogen, preferably (C1 -C4)alkyl. Examples of substituted phenyl are the radicals methylphenyl, butylphenyl, methoxyphenyl, butoxyphenyl, fluorophenyl, chlorophenyl, dimethylphenyl, dichlorophenyl, methylchlorophenyl, dimethoxyphenyl, trimethylphenyl and ethyldichlorophenyl. For economic reasons, hydroxyl and (C1 -C4)alkoxy, preferably methoxy or ethoxy, are most suitable for the radicals R1 and R2, and phenyl, which can be substituted by (C1 -C4)alkyl, especially phenyl, is most suitable for R3 ; however, the nature of the radicals R1, R2 or R3 is not critical for carrying out the process.
Dehydrogenation catalysts which can be used are the catalysts which are known per se for dehydrogenation reactions, for example cadmium oxide, zinc oxide, copper or copper/zirconium mixed catalysts, and hydrogenation catalysts which can be used are catalysts which are known per se for hydrogenation, such as palladium, platinum, rhodium, iridium, ruthenium, nickel or cobalt. Combinations of copper or copper/zirconium mixed catalysts with palladium, platinum or nickel are preferred, and copper in combination with palladium or platinum is particularly preferred.
The dehydrogenation of aminoalcohols to give aminocarboxylic acids and the hydrogenolysis of benzyl groups are in each case known as such from British Pat. No. 2,148,287 and Org. Reactions Vol. VII, John Wiley & Sons, N.Y. 1953.
However, it is surprising that the dehydrogenation can be linked to the hydrogenation without problems. Half of the hydrogen obtained during the dehydrogenation accordingly reacts further in situ on the same molecule, so that no addition of hydrogen is necessary. It is also surprising that the alcohols, thioalcohols or amines formed by hydrolysis during the alkaline reaction procedure do not impair selective dehydrogenation of the hydroxymethyl group of the N-benzyl-N-phosphonomethylaminoethanol derivatives of the formula II.
Alkali metal hydroxides and alkaline earth metal hydroxides which can be used in the process according to the invention are lithium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide or calcium hydroxide. The alkali metal hydroxides are preferably used, sodium hydroxide, being especially preferred. The molar ratio of the alkali metal or alkaline earth metal hydroxide to the compound of the formula II in the reaction mixture should be greater than or equal to 3; a molar ratio of 3-4.5:1, in particular 3.3:1 to 3.8:1, is preferred. The alkali or alkaline earth metal hydroxide can be added to the reaction mixture in bulk, but is preferably added in case of the alkali metal hydroxide in the form of a concentrated aqueous solution.
The water used as the solvent can be added directly or in the form of the abovementioned alkali metal hydroxide solutions.
The reaction takes place within a wide temperature range. The reaction temperature is preferably in a range from 120° C. to 200° C., in particular in the range from 160°-180° C. The upper limit for the temperature is determined by the thermal stability of the components present in the reaction mixture.
The process is advantageously carried out in an autoclave. A pressure builds up in the autoclave during the reaction also as a result of the formation of hydrogen, its level being determined by the dimensions of the autoclave, in particular from the ratio of the reaction volume to the autoclave volume. The pressure as a rule varies between 1 and 50 bar. Since the upper pressure limit for the reaction is not critical, the reaction can also be carried out under higher pressures.
As described above, under the strongly alkaline reaction conditions, hydrolysis of the phosphonic acid derivative part structure to the phosphonic acid di-alkali metal salt takes place in parallel with the linked dehydrogenation/hydrogenation. This hydrolysis can equally well be carried out partly or completely before the start of the linked dehydrogenation/hydrogenation by reacting the N-benzyl-N-phosphonomethyl-aminoethanol derivative with the corresponding amount of alkali metal hydroxide before the start of the reaction.
The strongly alkaline reaction conditions make it possible for salts of the N-benzyl-N-phosphonomethyl-amino-ethanol derivatives also to be used for the reaction. These are neutralized under the alkaline reaction conditions. Examples of these are the hydrochlorides and the methane sluphonates. A large number of derivatives of the compounds of the formula II which are substituted on the ethanol oxygen can also be used for the reaction; examples of these are the O-alkanoyl, in particular acetyl, derivatives of O-benzoyl derivatives. Under the alkaline reaction conditions described, the ester grouping in these derivatives is split and the hydroxymethyl group is thus liberated in situ for the dehydrogenation. The above amount of alkali metal hydroxide must in these cases be increased by 1 mole of alkali metal hydroxide per mole of N-benzyl-N-phosphonomethyl-aminoethanol derivatives.
The process is advantageously carried out under an inert gas atmosphere with exclusion of oxygen. Hydrogen, nitrogen or argon, for example, can be used as the protective gas. It is used for displacing the atmospheric oxygen otherwise present, which could have an adverse influence on the course of the reaction.
The N-benzyl-N-phosphonomethyl-aminoethanol derivatives of the formula II can be prepared by the methods described in Zh. Obsch. Khim. 55, 1744 (1985) or J. Org. Chem. 31, 1603 (1966), if R1 and R2 denote an oxygen-containing containing radical. Further possible methods for the preparation of compounds of the formula II are described in Houben Weyl, Volume XII/1 (1963). There are no high requirements imposed on the purity of these N-benzyl-N-phosphonomethyl-aminoethanol derivatives; they can also be used as crude products in the process according to the invention.
The following example serves to illustrate the invention.
45.4 g (0.3 mol) of 2-benzylaminoethanol (prepared according to U.S. Pat. No. 2,683,744) and 9.85 g (0.315 mol) of 96% strength paraformaldehyde are mixed and the mixture is heated until the exothermic reaction starts (about 40° C.). When this reaction has subsided, the mixture is stirred at 60° C. for a further 30 minutes, 45 ml of toluene are then added and the water of reaction is then distilled off using a water separator. The heating bath is removed and 41.4 g (0.3 mol) of diethyl phosphite are added dropwise to the hot solution; the mixture is then stirred at 90° C. for 6 hours and the solvent is subsequently distilled off.
The crude N-benzyl-N-(bisethoxyphosphonomethyl)aminoethanol thus prepared, 132 g (1.1 mol) of 33% strength aqueous sodium hydroxide solution and 42 g of water are stirred until a homogeneous solution is formed. the reaction mixture is introduced, together with 20 g of Raney copper (moist weight) and 4 g of palladium oxide catalyst (10% by weight of palladium-on-charcoal), into a 500 ml autoclave, covered with a layer of hydrogen and heated at 170° C. for 2 hours. After the autoclave has been cooled and let down, the catalysts are filtered off. 300 ml of toluene are added, the water is distilled off using a water separator and the toluene is then distilled off.
400 ml of concentrated hydrochloric acid cooled at 0° C. is added to the residue and the sodium chloride which has precipitated out is filtered off and evaporated. The residue is treated with 6 g of active charcoal in 300 ml of boiling water and filtered hot and the filtrate is concentrated to about 50 ml. The N-phosphonomethylglycine which has crystallized out is filtered off and dried. 38 g (75% of theory, based on 2-benzylaminoethanol) of N-phosphonomethylglycine with a purity of >99% are obtained.
Claims (10)
1. A process for the preparation of N-phosphonomethylglycine of the formula I ##STR5## which comprises reacting a compound of the formula II or a salt or ester thereof ##STR6## in which R1 and R2 independently of one another denote hydroxyl or a hydrolyzable radical from the group comprising (C1 -C6)alkoxy, (C3 -C6)cycloalkoxy, aryloxy, aryl(C1 -C4)alkoxy, mercapto, (C1 -C6)alkylthio, (C3 -C6)cycloalkylthio, arylthio, aryl(C1 -C4)alkylthio, amino, mono- or di-(C1 -C6)alkylamino, arylamino or aryl(C1 -C4)alkylamino and
R3 denotes aryl,
in a closed reaction vessel in the presence of a dehydrogenation and hydrogenation catalyst with an alkali metal hydroxide or alkaline earth metal hydroxide in water and subsequently adding a mineral acid.
2. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein R1 and R2 denote hydroxyl or (C1 -C4)alkoxy and R3 denotes phenyl, which can be substituted by (C1 -C4)alkyl.
3. The process as claimed in claim 1 which is carried out in the presence of an alkali metal hydroxide.
4. The process as claimed in claim 1, which is carried out at temperatures between 120° C. and 200° C.
5. The process as claimed in claim 1, which is carried out at temperatures between 160° C. and 180° C.
6. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein cadmium oxide, zinc oxide, copper or a copper/zirconium mixed catalyst is used as the dehydrogenation catalyst.
7. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein palladium, platinum or nickel is used as the hydrogenation catalyst.
8. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein a combination of copper with palladium or platinum is used as the catalyst.
9. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the molar ratio alkali or alkaline earth metal hydroxide to the compound of the formula II is greater than or equal to 3.
10. The process as claimed in claim 1, which is carried out under an inert gas atmosphere in an autoclave.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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DE3721285 | 1987-06-27 | ||
DE19873721285 DE3721285A1 (en) | 1987-06-27 | 1987-06-27 | METHOD FOR PRODUCING N-PHOSPHONOMETHYLGLYCINE |
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US4847013A true US4847013A (en) | 1989-07-11 |
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ID=6330427
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Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US07/210,817 Expired - Fee Related US4847013A (en) | 1987-06-27 | 1988-06-24 | Process for the preparation of N-phosphonomethylglycine |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US4847013A (en) |
EP (1) | EP0297369B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JPS6422891A (en) |
AT (1) | ATE102211T1 (en) |
DE (2) | DE3721285A1 (en) |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
AU627073B2 (en) * | 1988-11-07 | 1992-08-13 | Monsanto Company | Oxidation/dealkylation process |
US5602276A (en) * | 1994-07-01 | 1997-02-11 | Monsanto Company | Process for preparing N-phosphonomethylamino carboxylic acids |
US5703273A (en) * | 1994-07-01 | 1997-12-30 | Monsanto Company | Process for preparing N-phosphonomethylamino carboxylic acids |
US5739390A (en) * | 1993-04-12 | 1998-04-14 | Monsanto Company | Process to prepare amino carboxylic acid salts |
US6646160B2 (en) | 1999-05-03 | 2003-11-11 | Monsanto Technology, Llc | Process for the preparation of carboxylic acid salts from primary alcohols |
US20040143134A1 (en) * | 1998-02-12 | 2004-07-22 | Monsanto Technology Llc | Process for the preparation of N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine by oxidizing N-substituted N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine |
EP1716923A1 (en) * | 1998-02-12 | 2006-11-02 | Monsanto Technology, LLC | Oxidation catalyst for making glyphosate |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE69407082T2 (en) * | 1993-04-12 | 1998-07-02 | Monsanto Co | Process for the production of carboxylic acids |
US5689000A (en) * | 1994-07-01 | 1997-11-18 | Monsanto Company | Process for preparing carboxylic acid salts and catalysts useful in such process |
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US3956370A (en) * | 1972-07-21 | 1976-05-11 | Imperial Chemical Industries Limited | Preparation of N-phosphonomethylglycine |
US4233056A (en) * | 1977-08-11 | 1980-11-11 | Ciba-Geigy Corporation | Novel glycylmethylphosphinic acid derivatives, process for their production and use thereof |
EP0055695A1 (en) * | 1980-12-30 | 1982-07-07 | Ciba-Geigy Ag | Process for preparing N-phosphonomethyl glycine |
US4442041A (en) * | 1982-06-30 | 1984-04-10 | Stauffer Chemical Company | Method for preparation of N-phosphonomethylglycine |
EP0187633A1 (en) * | 1984-12-28 | 1986-07-16 | Monsanto Company | Thermal dealkylation of n-alkyl n-phosphonomethylglycine |
US4650613A (en) * | 1984-12-28 | 1987-03-17 | Monsanto Company | Process for preparing N-phosphonomethylglycine and derivatives |
EP0216745A1 (en) * | 1985-09-23 | 1987-04-01 | Monsanto Company | Process for the preparation of N-substituted aminomethylphosphonic acids |
Family Cites Families (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2154588B (en) * | 1984-02-20 | 1987-10-07 | Sunlead Chemical Industry Co L | A process for preparation of n-phosphonomethyl glycine |
-
1987
- 1987-06-27 DE DE19873721285 patent/DE3721285A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
1988
- 1988-06-18 AT AT88109723T patent/ATE102211T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1988-06-18 DE DE88109723T patent/DE3888029D1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1988-06-18 EP EP88109723A patent/EP0297369B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1988-06-23 JP JP63153684A patent/JPS6422891A/en active Pending
- 1988-06-24 US US07/210,817 patent/US4847013A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US3956370A (en) * | 1972-07-21 | 1976-05-11 | Imperial Chemical Industries Limited | Preparation of N-phosphonomethylglycine |
US4233056A (en) * | 1977-08-11 | 1980-11-11 | Ciba-Geigy Corporation | Novel glycylmethylphosphinic acid derivatives, process for their production and use thereof |
EP0055695A1 (en) * | 1980-12-30 | 1982-07-07 | Ciba-Geigy Ag | Process for preparing N-phosphonomethyl glycine |
US4442041A (en) * | 1982-06-30 | 1984-04-10 | Stauffer Chemical Company | Method for preparation of N-phosphonomethylglycine |
EP0187633A1 (en) * | 1984-12-28 | 1986-07-16 | Monsanto Company | Thermal dealkylation of n-alkyl n-phosphonomethylglycine |
US4650613A (en) * | 1984-12-28 | 1987-03-17 | Monsanto Company | Process for preparing N-phosphonomethylglycine and derivatives |
EP0216745A1 (en) * | 1985-09-23 | 1987-04-01 | Monsanto Company | Process for the preparation of N-substituted aminomethylphosphonic acids |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
AU627073B2 (en) * | 1988-11-07 | 1992-08-13 | Monsanto Company | Oxidation/dealkylation process |
US5739390A (en) * | 1993-04-12 | 1998-04-14 | Monsanto Company | Process to prepare amino carboxylic acid salts |
US5602276A (en) * | 1994-07-01 | 1997-02-11 | Monsanto Company | Process for preparing N-phosphonomethylamino carboxylic acids |
US5703273A (en) * | 1994-07-01 | 1997-12-30 | Monsanto Company | Process for preparing N-phosphonomethylamino carboxylic acids |
US20040143134A1 (en) * | 1998-02-12 | 2004-07-22 | Monsanto Technology Llc | Process for the preparation of N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine by oxidizing N-substituted N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine |
EP1716923A1 (en) * | 1998-02-12 | 2006-11-02 | Monsanto Technology, LLC | Oxidation catalyst for making glyphosate |
US7297657B2 (en) | 1998-02-12 | 2007-11-20 | Monsanto Technology Llc | Process for the preparation of N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine by oxidizing N-substituted N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine |
US6646160B2 (en) | 1999-05-03 | 2003-11-11 | Monsanto Technology, Llc | Process for the preparation of carboxylic acid salts from primary alcohols |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE3721285A1 (en) | 1989-01-12 |
EP0297369A2 (en) | 1989-01-04 |
DE3888029D1 (en) | 1994-04-07 |
JPS6422891A (en) | 1989-01-25 |
ATE102211T1 (en) | 1994-03-15 |
EP0297369A3 (en) | 1991-02-13 |
EP0297369B1 (en) | 1994-03-02 |
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